Andy Murray on the drift for Roland Garros after Rome Masters withdrawal

Andy Murray's French Open odds drift from 12/1 to 18/1 after Rome Masters withdrawal.

Last Updated: 16/05/13 1:58pm

Andy Murray: Forced to withdraw from Rome Masters due to a back injury

The world No 2 was forced to pull out of the match due to a back injury, despite battling back from a set and 1-4 down to win the second set in a tie-break.

For Murray, who was supposed to be celebrating his 26th birthday, it represents another blow to his already disappointing preparations for Roland Garros.

The Scot suffered last 16 and quarter-final losses in Monte Carlo and Madrid, leaving him facing a race against time to be fit for the season's second Grand Slam, which begins on May 26.

In a downbeat post-match press conference, the world number two admitted he would be "very surprised" if if he is able to compete in Paris.

Online bookmaker Sky Bet now make Murray odds-on to miss the French Open completely, offering 7/4 that he will feature.

Sky Bet's Ned Brooker said: "Murray had a great chance to really build up some much-needed form and confidence ahead of the French Open with Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic on the other side of the draw, so he will undoubtedly be extremely disappointed to have had to shake hands prematurely today.

"It remains to be seen how serious the injury is, but Murray can ill-afford to be carrying any problems on such a physically demanding surface.

"His chances were already looking pretty slim with Nadal back to the peak of his powers, but we've now pushed his odds out fairly significantly following his withdrawal."